This is more background for my novel,
Little Mountain. Future posts will include some of the experiences of the refugees who came to the United States, as well as my own interactions.
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| Statues at Angkor Wat, the ancient temple |
In late 1979, Vietnam invaded Cambodia and overthrew Pol Pot's vicious regime, releasing vast numbers of Cambodians from camps where they were being starved, worked to death, or murdered outright. Any connection, or suspicion of a connection, with the outside world resulted in death--that included having an education, knowing any French (it once had been part of a French colony), working in any profession. People without calluses on their hands might be taken for bourgeoisie and murdered. Those who were too ill to work were either clubbed to death on the spot or sent to the "hospital," from which few came out alive.
A great many of the freed Cambodians walked through the jungle to Thailand, where refugee camps were set up to provide safe havens where people could get food and medicine and look for lost loved ones. France, the United States, and other countries provided aid--justifiably so, as between them they had made such an impact on the region since World War II. Many private organizations took part as well, including church groups who helped people resettle in other countries. Many Cambodians hoped to go home again once it was safe and stable; in the meantime, they came to France and the United States.
Learn more by clicking the
Little Mountain tab at the top of this page, or purchase a copy by clicking the book image at the right.
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5 comments:
Your haunting essay was very touching. Pol Pot was terrible. All the American military who were murdered by the viet-cong; and for what? The south Vietnamese couldn't or would'nt fight we were doing it for them. Supposedly to check the "domino effect" of communism. If they didn't care, why did we?
I'm concerned about Afghanistan now. Their people don't look too strong.
We keep repeating history, I regret the loss of good humans.
My grandson just returned from Afghan, is very glad to leave there.
I didn't mean to whine, sorry. Your essay was very good.
Thanks for stopping by, Anthony. Please tell your grandson I thank him for his service.
Very interesting. Our church partners with a church in Cambodia. The pastor there lost his wife and spent a long time in prison, some of it chained spread eagle to a cold floor. He's one of the most interesting people I ever met.
Interesting! :)
This is so interesting. I homeschool my children and am teaching them about the Vietnam war right now. It has made me aware of how little I know about the history of this part of the world. I want to learn more about it.
Thanks for stopping by earlier--you found me as my family is experiencing personal crisis and I appreciate your comment.
Scarlett
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